1
a
: one that reads
b
: one appointed to read to others: such as
(1)
: lector
(2)
: one chosen to read aloud selected material in a Christian Science church or society
c(1)
(2)
: one who evaluates manuscripts
(3)
: one who reads periodical literature to discover items of special interest or value
d
: an employee who reads and records the indications of meters
e
: a teacher's assistant who reads and marks student papers
2
British
: one who reads lectures or expounds subjects to students
3
a
: a device for projecting a readable image of a transparency
b
: an electronic device that scans coded information (as on punch cards or bar codes) for storage or computation
5
readers plural
: eyeglasses used for reading or close work : reading glasses
Gilda came back with a pair of readers and, looking through her glasses, gave my eyelids serious consideration.—
Jeanne Ray
Jeanne RayExamples of reader in a Sentence
The book's ending leaves readers to draw their own conclusions.
a magazine with three million readers
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of those backers have been frustrated with his administration's support for policing initiatives like the Fusus surveillance video program and license plate readers.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
For readers looking for a little love in their lives — and apparently that's the majority of us — PEOPLE caught up with a number of authors, including Carley Fortune, Jasmine Guillory, and Elle Kennedy, to chat about their favorite romance releases.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
— Made By History, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Mancuso said sap slow readers and dendrometers are used to monitor the health of the trees and plants.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reader
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Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
For readers looking for a little love in their lives — and apparently that's the majority of us — PEOPLE caught up with a number of authors, including Carley Fortune, Jasmine Guillory, and Elle Kennedy, to chat about their favorite romance releases.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.
— Made By History, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Mancuso said sap slow readers and dendrometers are used to monitor the health of the trees and plants.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reader
Cite this Entry
“Reader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reader. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reader
noun
read·er
ˈrēd-ər 
1
: a person who reads
2
a
: a device that makes a readable image
a microfilm reader
b
: a machine for acquiring data (as for a computer)
a card reader
3
: a book for learning or practicing reading
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